Garment folding apparatus



Sept. 15, 1953 J. w. sTEEL GARMENT FOLDING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 7, 19504 Sheets-Sheet l :4 TTORNE).

Sept. 15, 1953 J. w. STEELE GARMENT FOLDING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet :2

Filed Aug. 7, 1950 IN VEN TOR. d M/ .fifee/e, BY @wwfiwaL,

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Sept. 15, 1953 J. w. STEELE GARMENT FOLDING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-g 3 FiledAu 7, 1950 INVENTOR,

Sept. 15, 1953 J. w. STEELE GARMENT FOLDING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed Aug. 7, 1950 INVENTOR. J W fifee/e, BY al 622m ATTORNEK PatentedSept. 15, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GARMENT FOLDING APPARATUSJames W. Steele, North Kansas City, Mo.

Application August 7, 1950, Serial No. 178,041

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to garment folding devices, and aims toprovide an improved folding apparatus which is adapted for convententoperation as well as more efficient and wider range of garment foldingaction, such as to include the proper folding operation as required fornot onl the various types of mens shirts but also the common forms ofpajamas, sweaters, light weight coats and jackets and similar mensgarments requiring a folding treatmentin connection with packagingoperations, or the like.

it is a special object of the invention to devise folding apparatuswhich is adapted to produce a fold in garments of the type indicated andin which the operation consists in making what may be termed short andwide folds in the garment in lieu of the so-called long and narrow typeof fold, as in the conventional style of mens shirts. In this connectionit is also an object of the improvements to provide a foldingconstruction adapted to the use of either single or double cardboards orstiffening inserts between the garment folds, and resulting in anefficiently folded and reinforced garment for packaging purposes ineither case.

In its preferred form the invention comprises a construction providing atable or supporting surface especially adapted for the garment foldingoperation, together with a special form of hinge leaf member movableinto and out of operative or working relation to the table surface, andsaid hinge leaf in turn carrying an assembly of pivotal arm elementsalso movable with said leaf toward and away from the table surfacebesides being mounted in slidable relation to the leaf forv the furtherpositioning of said armsin the desired operative or garment foldingrelation to the top or working face of the table.

The invention further seeks to provide a construction of the characterindicated in which the necessary folding operation is adapted to becarried out and including the application of the usual band elements, ifdesired, in'practically the same operative or working interval foreither regular or standard shirts or for sport shirts, pajamas, and thelike.

With the foregoing general objects in view, the invention will now bedescribed in detail by reference to the accompanying drawingsillustrating one form of construction which I have found to be practicaland efiicientfor the accomplishment of the desired purposes as aboveindicatedafter which the various improved features and combinationsthereof deemed to be novel and patentable will be particularly set forthand claimed.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a perspective View illustrating a garmentfolding apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a similar view (on a slightly larger scale) showing theupper portion of said apparatus with the folding leaf member in loweredposition and the pivoted arm assembly carried thereby shifted forwardinto operative relation to a sports garment shown as applied in initialfolding relation to the apparatus;

Figures 3, i, 5 and 6 are also perspective views illustrating successivesteps in the shirt-folding operation, up to its completely folded andbanded state as represented in Figure 6;

Figure 7 is a side perspective view illustrating the initial stage ofoperation as required for folding a pajamas suit form of garment; and

Figures 8 and 9 are similar views representing succeeding steps in thefolding operation initiated by the stage illustrated in Figure 7.

In the cycle of laundry practice, as it seems to prevail at the presenttime, there is a definite trend to what may be termed short and widefolds in the packaging of the finished garment, particularly as to mensshirts, doubtless influenced by the popularity of sport shirts, whichlend themselves more naturally to the wider folded state. While shirtfolding machines have been designed to perform the usual types ofshirtfolding operations, they have not been adapted to provide foranything but the common or standard so-called long and narrow folds, asrepresented by the orthodox form of finished shirt. Consequently thevariations from these dimensions in the length and width of shirt foldshave been for the most part dependent upon the particular ability andskill of the operator, thus in no way insuring any accuracy oruniformity in the fold lines and dimensions of the finishedfoldedproductalways an important factor and desideratum in connection withgarment finishing operations prior to the packaging of the same.

It is therefore a primary object of the pres ent invention to provideimproved garment folding apparatus adapted to fulfill all therequirements as regards these changing fold designs and in addition tothe requirements of the previously prevailing practice; and also toprovide a con struction answering all the other requirements relating tothe use of cardboard or stiffening material as well as the securing orbanding of the finished-folded product.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, and moreparticularly to Figure 1, this view shows a complete machine orapparatus of the present improved type, comprising a conventional formof body or upright framework 12 supporting a top or table portion I4providing a working surface for the garment-folding operation. Theinterior of said body or framework 112, beneath its top or work-tableportion, serves as a storage compartment l 6 for supplies of materialused in the folding operation, which may be stored therein on aninterior shelf l8, open to the front of the machine.

The top surface or working face of the table i4 is specially constructedfor the laying of the shirt 2Q thereon in fully spread relation, withthe front of the shirt facing downward (see Figure 2). The table isaccordingly formed with a shallow collar well or depression 22 forreceiving the collar portion of the shirt when positioned for folding;and from this depression 22 also extends a dado type of groove 24 to thefront edge of the table for the purpose of ac-' commodating the buttonand buttonhole pleats of the shirt while in this shirt foldingpositionsee Figures and 6. From this it will be seen that the locationof the collar within said depression 22 and the extension of the shirtbutton and buttonhole pleats along said groove 24 serves to definitelyaline the shirt in true and accurate position on the table for thecarrying out of the successive steps of the folding operation, ashereinafter explained. There is also provided a set of friction stripsor pads 26 and 26' of soft gripping material, such as rubber or felt,located in spaced relation transversely of the table top and serving asmeans for preventing any casual slipping of the garment during thefolding process. Intermediate the inner strips 26 and the outer stripsor pads 26 are provided recesses 28 forming receptacles extending fromfront to rear of the table for the storage of shirt bands 30 at a levelbelow that of the top surface of the table, 1. e., in position forfacilitating the lifting of said bands 30 for applying the same at bothends of the folded shirt-as represented in Figure 6. The outer marginsof the recesses or receptacles 28 are provided with scalloped notches oropenings 32 designed to enable the operator to make convenient fingerengagement with the side edges of said bands for separating the same.

The upper working face of the table I4 is still further provided withspaced parallel guide strips 34, the distance between which correspondsto the width of the pattern according to which the shirt is to be folded(compare Figures 3 to 6). The front margin of the table is also formedwith an upright ledge 36 adapted to define the first transverse foldline of the garment and also properly confine the garment in its initialfolding position.

An important feature of the invention resides in an improved form ofhinged leaf member 40 carrying an assembly of folding and guide armsespecially constructed and designed for cooperation with the describedform of table top surface in producing the required folding operation.This hinged leaf and arm assembly comprises a metal leaf member 40hingedly mounted by means of a transversely extending hinge structure 42at the rear of the table top H, the width of said member 46corresponding to the space between the recesses or receptacles 28 forthe bands 30, and the length of said member 40 being such as to extend(when in lowered or working position) to the forward ends of thefriction strips or pads 26, which latter serve incidentally as bumperpads for cushioning said l af m m e when dropped into operative positionupon the table top. Mounted for sliding movement upon the upper face ofsaid leaf member 4% is a trans verse plate 44 provided with afinger-engaging knob 46, the stem of which is connected with a guideelement 48 mounted slidingly in a slot 58 extending from the hingestructure 42 along the middle line of the leaf member 46 andapproximately half its length. The transverse plate as serves as anadjustable support for the folding and guide arms, all of substantiallythe same length and comprising two folding arms formed with inwardlyprojecting hinge ends 53 mounted in bearing elements 54 so arranged thatsaid arms 52 swing into and out of positions adjacent to the side edgesof the leaf member 50; whereas the other arms 56 (also of approximatelythe same length as the arms 52) have inturned shank. extensions 58terminating in hinge ends 60 for mounting in bearing elements 54 atright angles to the hinge ends 53 of the folding arms 52, whereby saidarms 56 are adapted. to be swung outwardly into their operative positionextending alongside the outer margins of the slots or receptacles 28 forthe bands 30. The hinge ends of the various arms are all fitted withdetachable cotter pins 52, thus adapting the arms for easy assembly andreplacement at any time.

When the hinge leaf member 40 and the parts carried thereby are swungbackward, into inoperative position, it encounters an upright extensionplate 64 carried by the rear margin of the table M and serving as abackstop or bumper for said leaf member 40. The upper portion of saidextension plate 64 is also constructed to provide a rack member 66designed to carry a supply of shirt reinforcing or stiffening cardboards68 of the desired size, as shown.

It will therefore be seen that I have provided a construction which isdesigned to properly position the garment for the folding operation andthereafter retain the garment in this correctly alined position for theremaining steps of the folding process, for which steps the inventionprovides a unitary assembly of binge leaf mem ber equipped with foldingand guide arms serving to facilitate the folding operation in an ef-'ficient manner as regards producing accurately folded garments, alluniformly conforming to substantially the same size as to their foldedstate at the end of said process.

The drawings illustrate this process as carried out in the folding of asport type of shirt 2%, which is applied to the top or working face ofthe table, with the front of the shirt facing downwardly to locate itscollar portion within the collar well or depression 22 and its buttonand buttonhole pleats alined with the dado groove or slot 24, and thebody portion of the shirt draped over the front of the apparatus, orhanging over the ledge portion 36, as illustrated in Figure 2. As theplacing of the garment in this position also causes it to rest upon thefriction pads or strips 26 and 26', this insures against any casualdisplacement of the garment away from this correctly alined positionwhile undergoing the remaining steps of the process.

Follovn'ng the laying of the shirt in the position illustrated in Figure2, the hinge leaf me 1 her 40 carrying the pivoted arm assembly is swungdown on to the upper portion of the gar ment (as represented in saidview), which operation also brings the two outer arms 56 down alongsidethe outer margins of the band slots or recesses whi e the other pivotedarms 52 reaged-W178 n l i ly i'sunported ,br; the upri ht: pane 64- The.operator nowrplaoess ne of Ether-card.- ard i s rts fillsuponpthatportion of the e shirt din etw en the! guide strips: which nsertionccurat uide by. e; location Of Said: guide tripssandthezfronttablezledgeiflfi, so that .the "rear edge of the cardboard, is locatedin proper alinement With the, forward 1 edge if of the hinge leafmember), asrepresented in said Figure 2 The operator next pr ceeds to;fold the: left sleeve'of theshirt by: r win i aerossthetabl o the ,righta inst: tbepulliof thevlefrti guide arm 56, then; lowering the. ri tfold; rm 52 up n the sleeve ,andqd awins the latter a k: to the leftaround; said 'foldgarmr 52 so ,thatqtheputf and gusset portions-ofthesleeve-beme-torest pon the cardboard-in, thepositiQn-shownin Fiurea-said cuff por ionbeins lo atedi tween the forward edge I of the:leaf member: 40- and, the front ledge 36 of thetable.

In the same: manner theoperator; fQlClSythfi right sleeve by first:drawing it1across the. able to the left .againstytheipull of HS LB Ehtguide arm 56 and-thereafter lowering the1eft fo1darmi52 upon the sleeveand: drawing the latter to, the right around said fold arm. "so-that'thecuff fan-d gusset portions of the zri htwsleeve gcome t rest on top ofEthe folded left sleeve,- as represented in Figure 4. After this foldingof, each" sleeve, the extra-fullness ,the shirt body at each sidethereof is folded over inwardly so that the width between the outeredges of said inturned portions is the same as that of the upper foldedshoulder portion of theshirt.

In the event that it should be desiredto use two of thecardboardinsertsfifl in place of-on-ly one, in thefoldingi operation,the extravcardboard 68 is inserted ,insomewhat lapping relation to, theother board and, underneath the hinge leaf member it, prior ,tothefolding of the sleeves as above described.,.the.. 'e 1;ied e of the:extr cardboard being located in approximate alinement with the shoulderline of the garment-as indicated in Figure 4. i

The operator next catches up the lower tail portion of the shirt andsnugly folds it up on to the shoulder portion, tucking in any excesslength of the tail portion, so that the rear fold line of said tailportion will come in line with and match the shoulder line of thegarment, as indicated in Figure 5.

The operator then grasps the knob 46 and pushes the sliding plate 42 andthe arm assembly carried thereby back to the rear of the table, andproceeds to make the final fold of the shirt and its cardboard insert(or inserts) by doubling the same over on to the lower portion of theleaf member 4!] and into the compact folded form represented in Figure6. With the shirt in this final folded state, one of the bands 30 isapplied to and secured around each side of the folded shirt, thuscompleting both the folding and banding operation, when the garment maybe readily removed by slightly lifting both the shirt and leaf member toclear the shirt from engagement with the pad element 25. At the sametime the operator swings sa1d leaf member and arm assembly back intotheir origlnal position, as illustrated in Figure 1.

Besides being primarily adapted for the folding of shirts in the manneraboveoutlmed, the apparatus is also equally well designed for thefolding of other types of sport garments, such as pajama suits, lightweight jackets, sweaters and costs; with.theasazmerfacilityand-precision; and .a1li:to.:;the:same sizeandupattern 10f fold; In' Figures-:Ttoais illustrated such adaptation ofthe apparatus; for; carrying; out, said, folding operationimcommotionwith a twoepiece. pajama suit.

Starting? with; theametal i leaf member 4a and itsxhingedzarmassemblyvin their; raisedposition, asmepresented:in:.Figure 7;theoperator places theip jamaxjacketitl face down upon the working .faceof: the. tables in iexactly the same man? nor; as: in: starting theshirt folding operation alreadyexplainedi after which the. pajama .pantsHare laidcicrosswisetoverxsaid jacketzl, with the front or fly portionof the -pants toward the front of the table and the opposites. portionthereof aimed; with the; top; of 1 the jacket, collar. Theoperator-thenproceeds-with the same. steps of the folding operationas inthe case-of shirt folding, to witfirstbringing the hinge leaf member 40with, the aguideearms 5Bninto; lowered position, thenbringingtheleftsleeve. and top of the pants first: around-over; the left guidearm 56 "and then baclnin-areversadirection around the right fold rm 52(after. swinging: the .latter into lowered position) then following thesame operation as to the rightsleeve'and; leg.-portions: of the pants,using the right guide arm 56 and the left fold 3.1111 52, andmeanwhileefolding inward the extra fulnessr at the; sides. ofthejacketzto produce st aight 1 foldxlines. in ,proper. alinement with: thesides ofthegshoulderi portion thereof::as illustrated; in: Figure-8 1,The operation is then completed; by substantially the same steps asfollowed in, the-shirtfoldings process, i, e,, by catching up the:lower; tail :portion ;of. the jacket 2 i and folding, it up :on; to the;shoulder and pants portions while-tucking-in;anyvexcess length of thejacket so,:.that:its rear foldilineo-willfall'in line with andimatch'theshoulder: line- -after which" the operator: pushes the sliding plate 144and arm as sembly back ;to;thei rearxofnthe table, asindicated in Figure9. The folded garments may then be handed (if desired) and thereafterremoved as in the case of the single folded shirt in the manner alreadydescribed. Card inserts 68 may or may not be used, as preferred--and inany event a neatly folded product is obtained in substantially the sametime as required for the folding of a shirt and having all the sameadvantages as to compactness and uniform folding to the same size; inaddition, the process affords ample opportunity to check the garmentpieces to assure that the same are matched properly in pairs, at thevery start of the operation.

From the foregoing it will therefore be apparent that I have devised apractical and comparatively very simple construction for the carryingout of the purposes of the invention as herein stated; and while I haveshown and described what I now regard as one of the preferred forms ofconstruction for embodying the aforesaid improvements, I neverthelessdesire to be understood as expressly reserving the right to makewhatever changes or modifications may fairly be deemed to fall withinthe spirit and scope of my invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. Garment folding apparatus comprising, in combination, a table havingits top working face provided with a collar recess and a dado slot orgroove extending from said recess, a leaf member carrying a folding armassembly and pivotally mounted on the table top for movement into andout of position in operative relation to said working face of the tableand resilient pads on said table top in position" for serving ascushioning means for said leaf members and also as friction means forretaining the garment against shifting movement on said working face ofthe table.

2. Garment folding apparatus comprising, in combination, a tableprovided with garment positioning means on its upper face, a leaf memberpivotally supported by said table for movement into and out of operativerelation to said upper face of the table, and a set of garment foldingand guide arms pivotally mounted on said leaf member and also providedwith a slidable connection therewith permitting adjusting movement ofsaid arms toward and from the rear portion of the table.

3. Garment folding apparatus comprising, in combination, a tableprovided with garment positioning means on its upper working face, aleaf member pivotally supported by said table for movement into or outof operative relation to said working face of the table, and two pairsof folding and guide arms pivotally supported by opposite sides of saidleaf member for swinging movement about axes at right angles to eachother and movable with said leaf member into spaced parallel positionsat said working face of the table.

4. Garment folding apparatus comprising, in combination, a tableprovided with garment psitioning means on its upper working face, a leafmember pivotally supported by said table for movement into or out ofoperative relation to said working face of the table, and two sets ofgarment folding and guide arms provided with pivotal supporting means atopposite sides of said leaf member and movable therewith into spacedparallel positions at said working face of the table, said pivotalsupporting means being slidingly mounted on said leaf member foraccommodating sliding movement of said folding and guide arms toward andfrom the rear portion of the table.

5. Garment folding apparatus comprising, in combination, a tableprovided with garment positioning means on its upper working face, aleaf member pivotally supported by said table for movement into or outof operative relation to said working face of the table, a plate memberslidingly secured to one face of said leaf member, and a set of garmentfolding and guide arms pivoted upon said plate member at opposite sidesof the leaf member and adapted to be swung therewith into spacedparallel positions at the working face of the table, said pivoted armsbeing movable with said plate member toward and from the rear portion ofthe table.

6. Garment folding apparatus comprising, in combination, a tableprovided with garment positioning means on its upper working face andincluding a transverse retaining ledge at the front margin of the table,a pivotal leaf member movable into and out of operative position oversaid working face of the table for bringing the forward edge of saidleaf, when in operative position, at a distance from said retainingledge corresponding to one dimension of the fold to be produced in thegarment, a set of garment folding and guide arms pivotally mounted onsaid leaf member, and guide strips at opposite front corners of thetable at a distance apart corresponding to the width to which thegarment i to be folded.

JAMES W. STEELE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,010,333 Steele Aug. 6, 1935 2,305,359 Steele Dec. 15, 19422,362,976 Cooper Nov. 21, 1944 2,367,261 Bicknell et a1 Jan. 16, 19452,508,108 Gayning et a1. May 16, 1950 2,610,772 Steele Sept. 16, 1952

